32 Questions
What is the primary function of an Operating System (OS)?
To manage and cope the computer's memory and processes
What is the main responsibility of the Memory Management component of an OS?
To monitor and manage the primary memory
What does the term 'Device Management' refer to in an OS?
Monitors and controls the input/output devices
What is the purpose of an OS's Security feature?
To prevent unauthorized access to programs and data
What is the main purpose of the File Management component of an OS?
To manage the computer's files and resources
What is the role of Job Accounting in an OS?
To monitor the time and resources used by various jobs and/or users
How does an OS interact with the operators?
Through a console in the form of instructions
What is the significance of an OS in a computer system?
It is essential and makes the computer useful
What is the purpose of error-detecting aids in an Operating System?
To produce dumps, traces, error messages, and other debugging methods
When was Windows first released?
1985
What is the estimated total usage share of Windows on Web connected computers?
88.9 percent
What is Linux?
A family of open-source operating systems
What is the advantage of Linux?
It is free
Who started the Linux kernel project?
Linus Torvalds
What is malware?
A software that harms and infects the host system
On what type of devices is Linux commonly used?
On other small energy-efficient computers, such as smartphones and smartwatches
What is the primary purpose of Adware?
To generate revenue for its author through advertisements
What is the main difference between a Virus and a Worm?
A Worm can replicate itself without human interaction
What is the primary function of Spyware?
To track internet activities and gather information about the user
What is Ransomware?
A type of malware that restricts access to a computer system until a fee is paid
What is the Creeper Program?
The first type of Virus created in 1971
What is the main purpose of a Trojan?
To steal personal and financial information
What is the Rabbit Virus?
The first type of Virus created in 1974
What is the main difference between a Virus and a Trojan?
A Trojan is a type of Virus that steals personal information
What was the first Trojan called?
ANIMAL
What was the name of the first PC virus?
BRAIN
What was unique about the BRAIN virus?
It was a stealth virus with a hidden copyright message
What was the subject line of the ILOVEYOU virus?
I Love You
What did the ILOVEYOU virus do to existing files?
It replaced them with copies of itself
What was unique about the ILOVEYOU worm?
It was a 'file less' worm that existed only in memory
Who created the ILOVEYOU worm?
Onel de Guzman
What was the purpose of the 'animal programs'?
To guess which animal the user was thinking of
Study Notes
Operating System
- An operating system (OS) is essential software that manages a computer's memory, processes, software, and hardware.
- It allows users to communicate with the computer without knowing its language.
- Without an OS, a computer is useless.
Characteristics of Operating System
- Memory Management: monitors primary memory, allocating it to processes and deallocating it when no longer required.
- Processor Management: allocates the processor (CPU) to a process and deallocates it when no longer required.
- Device Management: monitors devices and decides which process gets the device, when, and for how long.
- File Management: allocates and deallocates resources, deciding who gets the resources.
- Security: prevents unauthorized access to programs and data using passwords and other techniques.
- Job Accounting: monitors time and resources used by various jobs and/or users.
- Control Over System Performance: records delays between request and system response.
- Interaction with the Operators: interaction occurs via the computer console, with the OS acknowledging and performing actions.
- Error-detecting Aids: provides dumps, traces, error messages, and other debugging and error-detecting methods.
- Coordination Between Other Software and Users: coordinates and assigns compilers, interpreters, assemblers, and other software to users.
Types of Operating Systems
Microsoft Windows
- Created by Microsoft in the mid-1980s, first released in 1985 with an operating environment running on top of MS-DOS.
- A family of proprietary OS designed for Intel architecture-based computers, with an estimated 88.9% total usage share on web-connected computers.
macOS
Linux
- An open-source operating system, which is free.
- Originated in 1991 as a project by Linus Torvalds, a university student in Finland.
- Commonly used on small energy-efficient computers, such as smartphones and smartwatches.
Malware
- Software that harms or infects the host system.
- Types of malware include viruses, adware, spyware, worms, Trojans, and ransomware.
Common Types of Malware
- Virus: a contagious piece of code that infects other software on the host system and spreads itself when run.
- Adware: advertising-supported software that presents related advertisements based on user Internet activities.
- Spyware: malicious software that spies on the user's Internet activities and tracks information without consent.
- Worms: replicate themselves and destroy information and files on the host PC.
- Trojan: a type of virus that disguises itself as a safe program, stealing personal and financial information, and taking over system files.
- Ransomware: restricts access to the computer system until a fee is paid.
Computer Viruses
The Creeper Program
- Regarded as the first virus, created in 1971 by Bob Thomas of BBN.
The Rabbit Virus
- Developed in 1974, able to duplicate itself, severely reducing system performance and eventually crashing the machine.
The First Trojan
- Called ANIMAL, developed by John Walker in 1975, a game that tries to guess the animal the user is thinking of with a game of 20 questions.
The Brain Boot Sector Virus
- The first PC virus, began infecting 5.2" floppy disks in 1986, created by Basit and Amjad Farooq Alvi in Pakistan.
- A stealth virus that replaced the boot sector of a floppy disk with a virus, containing a hidden copyright message, but did not corrupt data.
The Love Letter Virus
- Appeared on May 4, 2000, spread through email as a VBS file, with the subject line "I Love You."
- Designed by Onel de Guzman, overwriting existing files and replacing them with copies of itself, spreading to victims' email contacts.
Learn about the fundamental functions of an Operating System, including error detection and coordination with other software. Explore the different types of operating systems, including Microsoft Windows.
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